byname CHARLES OF LUXEMBOURG, original name WENCESLAS, Czech KAREL LUCEMBURSKY, or V�CLAV, German KARL VON LUXEMBURG, or WENZEL (b. May 14, 1316, Prague--d. Nov. 29, 1378, Prague), German king and king of Bohemia (as Charles) from 1346 to 1378 and Holy Roman emperor from 1355 to 1378.

Charles IV of Luxemburg was elected king of the Romans in 1346 and king of Bohemia a year later. In 1355 he was crowned emperor at Rome and retained the imperial title until his death in 1378. Charles IV concentrated his energies on economic and intellectual development of Bohemia. He was a founder of the university of Prague (in 1348). During his reign art and architecture flourished in his capital. The best known are construction of the Charles Bridge and completion of Saint Vitus's cathedral by Peter Parler. In 1356 he issued the Golden Bull - the procedures for imperial elections.

Charles IV (Holy Roman Empire) (1316-1378), king of Bohemia and of the Germans, Holy Roman emperor (1347-1378). His reign was marked by his issuance of the Golden Bull, a document establishing the method of imperial election.

Elected king of the Romans in 1346 and king of Bohemia the following year, Charles IV of Luxemburg was crowned emperor at Rome in 1355 and retained the imperial title until his death in 1378. During his reign imperial policy refocused on the Germanic sphere and abandoned the ideal of the Holy Roman Empire as a universal monarchy. Charles IV concentrated his energies chiefly on the economic and intellectual development of Bohemia. He founded the university of Prague in 1348 and encouraged the early humanists ; he is known to have corresponded with Petrarch. Owing to his activity as a builder and patron, art and architecture flourished in his capital (construction of the Charles Bridge and of the Radschin, completion of Saint Vitus's cathedral by Peter Parler). From the reign of Charles IV dates the first flowering of manuscript painting in Prague. In 1356 he issued the Golden Bull which codified the procedures for imperial elections.

His French education left a lasting mark on Charles IV of Luxemburg, eldest son of John of Luxemburg. The latter, known as John the Blind, king of Bohemia, was an ardent francophile and patron of the poet Guillaume de Machaut ; he died at Cr�cy in 1346 while fighting on the French side. Charles's sister, Bona, married the eldest son of Philip VI of Valois, the future John II the Good, in 1335. Thus, Emperor Charles IV of Luxemburg was the maternal uncle of King Charles V, who solicited his relative's advice at Metz in 1356 during the Parisian revolt. This family connection was celebrated publicly when Charles IV made a solemn visit to his nephew in 1378, just months before his death . A detailed account of the occasion, enriched by many splendid miniatures, can be found in Charles V's copy of the Grandes Chroniques de France (BNF, Fr 2813).

Karl IV (1346-1378), son of Jan of Luxemburg, King of Bohemia and Emperor of Rome. Karel ascended to the throne as the King of Rome. 1355 he acquired the title of emperor of Rome. He proved to be the most prominent sovereign of Europe in those days. Sponsor of arts, literature, architecture and the Church. He was a distinguished politician; he earned merit through territorial growth of Czech state, strengthened by its independence on German realm, which provided for economic boom of the country. In 1349 margraviate of Moravia governed by independent hegemony of a minor line of the House of Luxemburg. Majestas Carolina, the land's code, was presented to the Assembly of deputies but was rejected by the nobility. In 1356 the golden Charter of Karel IV provided, among other things, for the election of german kings by the majority of Electors, the first place being reserved for the King of Bohemia. Electors were recommended to have their sons taught in Czech. 1361-1362 rose a strong military coalition of the Polish and Hungarian kings, the Duke of Austria, the count of Tyrol and others against Karel IV. Owing to Karel's diplomatic skills, this union disintegrated without causing any grave damages to Czech territories. In 1363 Vaclav IV, son of Karel IV, coronated as King of Bohemia. In 1364 Karel IV and Rudolph IV, Duke of Austria concluded hereditary contracts between the House of Luxemburg and the House of Habsburg. 1376 Karel's son Vaclav IV elected King of Rome. In the course of his reign Karel IV confirmed privileges of the realm of Bohemia, issued Acts on perpetual annexation of Moravia, Silesia and Upper Lucetia to Bohemia. Through marriage, he acquired last Silesian principalities, bought and annexed Lower Lucetia, subjected Brandenburg territory, bought Upper Pfalz and other German territories. Thus, the Czech Crown became the largest political formation of Central Europe. In his last will, Karel IV divided his lands among his sosns; Vaclav IV was to reign in Bohemia, Silesia, Budysin area and Lower Lucetia and become the feudal lord of Moravia, the opava area and of imperial feuds respectively. Siegmund was to obtain most of the Brandenburg area and be vested with electorial rights. Jan was to get Zhorelec area and the rest of the Brandenburg area. After the death of Karel IV's stepbrother Vaclav, the Luxemburg area fell to the share of Vaclav IV. In his lifetime, Karel IV was married four times. His first wife was Blanka, Princess of France of the House of Valois. After her death he married Anna of the Pfalz, daughter of Rudolph II of the Pfalz, one of his gravest adversaries. His third wife was Anna Svidnicka, heiress of the last principalities of Silesia, which was, in those days, not yet annexed to Czech Kingdom. For the fourth time Karel IV married Elisabeth of Pommern, granddaughter of King of Poland, famous for her strength. In November 1378 Karel IV died.

John of Luxemburg

John of Luxemburg (1310-1346), son of Roman emperor Heinrich VII, King of Bohemia. 1310 marriage of Jan of Luxemburg with Eliska from the house of Premyslides. The country was administered by Peter of Aspelt, instead of the young king and, subsequently, by Jindrich of Lipe. The himself left his country in search of adventures. Jan of Luxemburg acquired further portions of Silesia, Budysin area (Lusetia), Zhorelec area, Cheb area indefinitly and part of Italy temporarily. In 1334 Karel the Dauphin was appointed Margrave of Moravia. In 1337 Karel accepted his father's final consent to govern the whole realm. 1346 Jan of Luxemburg died in battle of Crecy fought between the French and the English. Jan died on the French side.